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Site review by Polly Nomial August 20, 2012
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
The name Joaquin Clerch will be familiar to those admirers of Anette Maiberg's series of discs in which she seeks to popularise genres from around the world (mainly but not exclusively Latin America).
Here, the Cuban guitarist and composer returns the favour with a concerto written especially for Maiberg. Entitled "Autumn Concerto" it is a work where the flute pours calm over agitated string writing that at times is eerily reminiscent of Hermann's score to Psycho with it's use of strings only (but not the "shower scene"!) "Concierto de Caceres" is written for guitar and the solo part is played by the composer himself (although it was originally composed for another - unnamed - artist).
Maiberg plays all the many whirling figurations of the first movement with disarming ease and switches into an gentle rhapsodic style without any audible hesitation - very natural and virtuoso playing that is entirely self-effacing. Maiberg's longest stretch of demonstrating these qualities comes in the cadenza that forms the bulk of the relatively compact second movement. The third movement is more overtly rhythmic in character and pretty though Maiberg's playing is, it is arguable that the percussive side of her playing is not contrasted sufficiently with the lyrical phrases which, unquestionably, very beautiful indeed.
The orchestration for the guitar of Clerch is much more varied with imaginative balances set-up between the guitar, percussion and brass (as well as woodwind and the strings). The middle movement is played with touching sentimentality but without lurching too far into banal emotional outpourings. The closing movement has a wonderful sense of fun about it - in both playing from all concerned and in the music itself. Throughout Clerch, the Havana Chamber Orchestra and Thomas Gabrisch distinguish themselves and provide great entertainment.
The sound is well up to normal MDG 2+2+2 standards and whilst it lacks the last ounce of clarity that the best have achieved, nothing is seriously amiss.
This can be recommended for those looking for lightweight music (in the best possible way) to add a touch of Cuban colour to their listening.
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Copyright © 2012 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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